Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Apple Cider Doughnuts

With the acquisition of a mini doughnut pan and some farm-fresh apple cider, I knew I wanted to create a healthier version of one of my favorite fall treats--cider doughnuts! After some field research ;) and online searching, I came up with a recipe that can be enjoyed a bit more often than its fried counterpart! I think the taste is pretty spot-on, but the texture was more like a muffin. My testers (thanks Elina and Kerstin) seemed to enjoy them, though!

I filled mine a bit too much, and the top looked almost like muffins! I'd fill them a little more than half-way, as these little doughnuts will rise. You may get more out of them this way. A regular-size doughnut pan can also be used.

For the apple puree:1 apple, peeled and diced (I used Cortland)3/4c apple cider

Prepare the apple puree by simmering the diced apple and 3/4c cider over med-low heat until broken down. Puree with immersion blender (or regular one). You should have 1/4c puree. If you have more than this, return to heat and simmer until reduced. Let cool. This can be made ahead, if you'd like.

Preheat oven to 375deg. Spray doughnut pan lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. To prepare the glaze: add 1c cider to small saucepan and simmer over med-low heat until reduced to ~1/4c. Whisk in 1c powdered sugar until smooth and glossy. Use more cider or powdered sugar to adjust consistency if needed.

Combine the dry ingredients and whisk/stir well together in a small bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients in a medium bowl . Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just combined. In prepared doughnut pan, fill cavities halfway full. Bake ~10min, until they spring back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and turn onto cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough. Add cinnamon-sugar to plate. When cooled slightly, dip top (and/or bottom) of doughnuts in glaze and then into cinn-sugar mix. Serve warm.

These are best served the day you make them, but I stored some in the fridge overnight and they made for a perfect post-run treat! Just warm for a few seconds and dig in :)

YUM! I will have to make these for a healthier version of an autumn favorite. I had the apple cider doughnuts at Eastern Standard the other weekend, and they were fantastic. Thanks for posting a guiltless recipe!

YUMM!!! these look delightful! I love apple cider and I love doughnuts even more, so I'll have to give these a try!I just found your blog and I'm so excited to browse through all your recipes! I'll be checking back often!-Mini Baker

Whoa! It's too bad we didn't have these babies the day we went apple picking. They look so good! And when were you looking for taste testers?! Nice job, Shannon. I love how they look like muffins :) So cute! I would like a dozen, please!

Oh, I was just thinking abt apple cider doughnuts today! I passed by a donut shop and I thought, "If they sell hot-fresh apple cider doughnut, I would be dropping everything to buy all they have!"I wish I was there with you when you made it!